The effect of benzene on serum hormones and the activity of some enzymes in different tissues of rats

Abstract

The effects of a 100 mg.kg -1 dose of benzene, an occupational and environmental toxicant, were investigated on serum, estradiol and testosterone concentrations as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities in the liver and kidney of rats after 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 72 hours. Benzene was given intraperitoneally to Rat rattus norvegicus and the control groups were injected with physiological saline. Liver tissue LDH, AST, ALT and kidney tissue LDH, ALP, AST, ALT activities were lower in the benzene treated group when compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). A tendency for an increase in the liver tissue ALP activity was observed, which was significant at 8 and 16 hours (p<0.05). There were significant increases in ALT in the liver and LDH, AST, and ALT enzyme activities in the kidney tissue at the beginning of the experiment in both groups and these activities were found to be nearly the same. Pyruvate kinase enzyme activities in rats given benzene were slightly increased in kidney tissues but lower in liver tissues. Differences between the groups tended to disappear towards the end of the experimental period. However, serum estradiol concentrations in the serum diverged significantly (p<0.05). Consequently, it was found that benzene administration led to some changes (increases then decreases) in LDH, ALP, ALT, AST, and PK activity and estradiol, testosterone concentrations in different tissues of rats. Possible causes of the increases and decreases in enzyme activities and hormone levels are discussed

Effect of Benzene on liver functions in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

“…In other study, Kang et al (2007) were found that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo(a)pyrene, phenanthrene and pyrene in rats results increase in ALT, AST and ALP activities. Also, Dere et al (2003) were shown that a significant increase in ALT in the liver and in LDH, AST, and ALT in the kidney occurs after exposure to benzene. The increase in the activity of these enzymes in the serum may result only consequent to impairment of the function of tissues with subsequent liberation of the enzymes into the circulation from the damaged tissue.…”

Preservative Sodium Benzoate as a Food Additive Alone and in Combination with Vitamin C and its Toxic Effects on the Liver and Kidney Function of Adult Male Rabbits

“…Significant increase in the serum albumin and total protein levels in rats treated with SB for 10 days (30). While (31) reported no significant changes in total protein while significant increase serum urea. The benzene formation from reaction of combination SB with Vit.C which inhibits the protein synthesis by inactivating some proteins and damaging DNA and RNA molecules (32).…”

Effects of benzene on glycogen levels of liver and muscle tissues and on blood glucose of rats

“…It is clear that the damage by the effects of benzene will probebly affect all systems. In a study by Egemen et al (2003), it was shown that estradiol and testosterone activities in the serum, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and pyruvate kinase activities in the liver and kidney of rats given a 100 mg.kg -1 dose of benzene were affected. Consequently, they found that benzene caused some changes (increases then decreases) in enzymes and hormone activities in different tissues of rats.…”